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How to apply

Before you apply

You must join or watch a webinar before you apply.

When we open for applications

We open for applications at 12pm on Wednesday 25 November 2026.

The application deadline

We close to applications at 12pm on Wednesday 20 January 2027.

If you need help or have any communication needs

If you need communication support or want to apply in a different way, you can:

How long it takes to get a decision

The application process usually takes around 9 months.

There are 2 stages:

  • first stage: we aim to give you a decision within 4 months of receiving your application.

  • second stage: if your application is shortlisted, it may take up to 6 months to gather more information and make a final decision.

What happens after you apply

After you send us your application, here's what you can expect:

  1. We'll email you to confirm we've received your application

  2. We'll assess your application against our criteria and priorities

  3. We'll let you know if we're taking your application to the second stage. If not, we'll explain why.

  4. If invited to the second stage, we will contact you for more detailed information about your proposal and complete some checks.

  5. We'll make a final decision and let you know if we've awarded funding. If unsuccessful, we will give you feedback.

We want to be honest about our funding limits

We expect to make up to 16 awards.

Most projects we fund will:

  • receive between £500,000 and £2.5 million

  • run for 5 to 10 years

This funding is highly competitive so we'll only shortlist applications that closely match what we want to fund.

Agreeing to our terms and conditions

You must read and agree to our terms and conditions before submitting your application.

How we use your personal data

To find out how we use and store your personal data, read our privacy notice.